Systems and methods for providing inflatable apparel

Abstract

This application relates to inflatable apparel. In particular, this application discusses systems and methods for providing apparel that is both selectively inflatable and adapted for use as a pillow. The inflatable apparel may include any clothing or object that is adapted to be worn by a person and is selectively inflatable so as to act a cushion for the person wearing the apparel or of another. The inflatable apparel comprises an apparel item, such as a necktie, and an inflatable bladder. In some cases, the necktie is made to receive and retain the bladder in an inflated position or a deflated position. The bladder extends through at least a portion of the necktie. Additionally, when inflated, the bladder provides a pillow or cushion for use by the individual wearing the inflated necktie, or for use by an individual other than the person wearing the necktie.

1. An item of inflatable apparel comprising:
 an inflatable bladder comprising a valve; and 
 an apparel item comprising an upper torso garment comprising a hood that is integrally connected to the upper torso garment, the apparel item comprising; 
 a bladder receiving portion to selectively receive the inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder receiving portion has a configuration that corresponds to a shape of the bladder, and wherein the bladder receiving portion is disposed about a neck portion of the hood; and 
 a retaining mechanism to selectively and releasably retain the bladder at the bladder receiving portion in a deflated position and in an inflated position, wherein the retaining mechanism enables the selective removal of the bladder from the bladder receiving portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The item of  claim 1 , wherein the apparel item comprises a hooded jacket. 
     
     
       3. The item of  claim 1 , wherein the apparel item comprises a hooded coat. 
     
     
       4. The item of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a plug-in-hole valve. 
     
     
       5. The item of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated tube that is connected to the bladder and is adapted to pass air from a person's mouth to the bladder. 
     
     
       6. The item of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
       7. The item of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump that attaches to the bladder. 
     
     
       8. A jacket comprising:
 an inflatable bladder comprising a valve; and 
 a jacket having a hood integrally connected thereto, the hood comprising:
 a bladder receiving portion to selectively receive the inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder receiving portion has a configuration that corresponds to a shape of the bladder, and wherein the bladder receiving portion is disposed at about a neck portion of the hood; and 
 a retaining mechanism to selectively and releasably retain the bladder at the bladder receiving portion in a deflated position and in an inflated position, wherein the retaining mechanism enables the selective removal of the bladder from the bladder receiving portion. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The jacket of  claim 8 , wherein the valve comprises a plug-in-hole valve. 
     
     
       10. The jacket of  claim 8 , further comprising an elongated tube that is connected to the bladder and is adapted to pass air from a person's mouth to the bladder. 
     
     
       11. The jacket of  claim 8 , wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
       12. The jacket of  claim 8 , further comprising a pump that attaches to the bladder. 
     
     
       13. A method for making an upper torso garment, the method comprising:
 providing an inflatable bladder having a valve; and 
 providing an upper torso garment having a hood connected thereto, wherein the garment is configured for selectively coupling the bladder to a bladder receiving portion of the hood, the hood comprising:
 a surface that defines the bladder receiving portion to selectively receive the inflatable bladder, wherein the bladder receiving portion has a configuration that corresponds to a shape of the bladder, and wherein the bladder receiving portion is disposed at about a neck portion of the hood; and 
 a retaining mechanism to selectively retain the bladder at the bladder receiving portion in a deflated position and in an inflated position, wherein the retaining mechanism enables the selective removal of the bladder from the bladder receiving portion. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inserting the bladder into the receiving portion. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the valve comprises a plug-in-hole valve. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising an elongated tube that is connected to the bladder and is adapted to pass air from a person's mouth to the bladder. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the bladder is selectively attachable to a pump.